Václav Neumann – Smetana – Má vlast

   In the great tradition of Czech composers romanticism has special meaning. In contrast to earlier eras when Czech composers were part of the European multicultural tradition, in the nineteenth century, it became clear that the Czech music has the ambition and power to determine their own style. This was a period of awakening consciousness of European nations and in many countries these processes are carried out with varying degrees of advancement. Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), who was comprehensive composer of concert and dramatic music, became famous as Czech national opera composer. From his nine operas especially his second The Bartered Bride (Prodaná nevěsta) became famous internationally.
   Most of his instrumental music output has a historic meaning and only rarely becomes a part of concert repertoire. Valuable exception is the famous cycle of six symphonic poems Má vlast (My Country), composed during five years (1974-1879). Sometimes considered as one six-part composition in fact it is collection of six individual poems written under strong impression of Liszt’s symphonic poems. The six Smetana’s poems are linked by a clearly defined style and thematic content. Composer using the romantic means of expression, referring to the Czech melodic idiom, devoted his poems to reflect the images, history and legends of his homeland.

Václav Neumann – Smetana – Má vlast (1968)

   Born in Prague Václav Neumann (1920-1995) recorded perfect performance of Smetana’s cycle with Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Before he had a chance to lead the orchestra he was violin and viola player in chamber groups and in Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. After Raphael Kubelik’s resignation in 1948 he had a chance to start his career but he did not accept the proposal. In 1956 he became conductor of Komishe Oper in Berlin. As a conductor Neumann was highly noted for his interpretations of Czech music. From 1964 to 1968 he was conductor of Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. In 1968 he recorded complete cycle of Smetana’s symphonic poems Má vlast. Double LP album published by Telefunken-Decca is one of the best renditions of Smetana’s poems ever recorded.

Bernard Haitink conducts the Slavic highlights

One of world’s best conductors in last decades and one of most prolific recording artists is Bernard Haitink. Born in Amsterdam, he studied in Conservatorium van Amsterdam and start career as violinist in orchestra. His rapid career became in 1954 when he started studies under direction of Ferdinand Leitner. Next year he took the post of second conductor of Netherlands Radio Union Orchestra. One year later, November 7th 1956, he made his debut with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Koningklijk Concertgebouworkest). Three years later, after death of Eduard van Beinum on September 1st, 1959  he took the position of first conductor then in 1961 post of principal conductor which he shared with Eugen Jochum until 1963, when he took this post exclusively. He continued working on this position until 1988. In 1999 he was appointed as honorary conductor of Concertgebouw. In years he work with his primary orchestra, he was associated with many orchestras as a guest artist or contracted principal conductor. He was working as principal conductor with London Philharmonic Orchestra, Glyndebourne Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  

In many respects Bernard Haitink is the conductor of extraordinary features. Vast majority of great conductors are individualists of extremely high self-esteem and charisma. Haitink’s charisma comes from his professionalism and diligence. Also his effictiveness was phenomenal and legendary. For this reason he’s been often drawn for most challenging performances of late romantic massive works and twentieth century symphonic music. He was widely appreciated as interpreter of nineteenth century symphonies by Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and operas including operas by Igor Stravinsky he performed in Glyndebourne Opera and complete Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen.  

Bernard Haitink with Concertgebouw Orchestra

The works of three Slavic composers constitute the program for the very special album of Concertgebouw orchestra and Haitink repertoire milestones - Bedřich Smetana’s Symphonic Poem No. 2 "Vltava" (The Moldau) from the cycle Ma vlást (My Fatherland), Mikhail Glinka’s Ouvertüre from the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila and Antonin Dvořak’s first five pieces from first cycle of Slavic Dances op.46. It is highly interesting album highlighting music always appreciated by public and requiring full range of both orchestra and conductor’s artistic possibilities. I guess for Bernard Haitink it was not only the matter of professional proficiency. Slavic music is not really close to musical sensitivity of artists from West Europe so he was not only the one who needs to interpret the music but also conductor creating orchestra’s style and attitude. 

The situation was even more complicated. Album was not recorded as one project. Recorded with Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and published by Philips (6566 012) somewhere around 1970, these recordings were taken at different occasions and published before – Smetana’s Vltava in 1962, Glinka’s Overture in 1969 and Dvořak’s five parts from Slavonic dances op.46 were recorded between 1959 and 1967 – No. 1 Furiant and No. 3 Polka were recorded in 1959, No. 2 Dumka and No. 4 Sousedská were performed in 1963 and No. 5 Skočná was recorded in 1967. And it is really hard to believe these pieces were recorded in span of a decade. The rich sound of the orchestra, perfect phrasing and dramatic expression demonstrate excellent understanding of conductor’s intentions and enough good taste to catch the Slavic idiom in the perspective as it was present in romantic music.